Top Stories – March 1 – Security Guard Dies

The security guard who was attacked at UBCO on the weekend has died from her injuries in hospital. The 24 year old woman was assaulted while working in one of the buildings on campus early Saturday. A suspect was identified and apprehended by RCMP under the Mental Health Act and remains in hospital facing possible murder charges.

More than half a Million Ukrainians have fled their war-torn country in an attempt to stay ahead of the Russian invasion. Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has banned all Canadian financial institutions from conducting transactions with the Russian central bank. In addition, Canada is imposing an asset freeze and a dealings prohibition on Russian sovereign wealth funds.

Prime Minister Trudeau says Canada is supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons systems and upgraded ammunition. This is in addition to the three previous shipments of military equipment. On the weekend it was announced that we would be sending night vision goggles, body armour, gas masks, and helmets.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she is headed to the Polish-Ukraine border today to make sure that Canada’s latest supply of military aid flows into the country. She will also be meeting with her Polish counterparts in Warsaw to discuss the refugee crisis spawned by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Joly also condemned the arrests of Russian citizens who have protested the war in demonstrations across their country.

On the weekend, there were 974 new cases of covid-19 in BC, which included 319 in Interior Health. Sadly, there were an additional 22 deaths from the virus, bringing the provincial total to 2,873. Dr. Henry will give an update this afternoon at 1.

The province is providing 102.7 million dollars while the Central Okanagan School District will contribute 3 million to build a new secondary school in West Kelowna. The target for opening is 2027, which can’t come soon enough as Mt. Boucherie is overcrowded. It will have a capacity for 12-hundred students.

Global warming is already costing Canada billions of dollars, from wildfires in the West to reduced seafood harvests in the East. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says by the 2050’s, parts of BC could experience water scarcity during the growing season. Ottawa says in 6 of the last 10 years, the cost to fight wildfires has topped a Billion dollars.

Backyard composters from the Regional District are now available for pre-order until the end of March. But with only 300 available for 40 bucks each, they may not last long. There are also Green Cone Food Digestors. Details http://rdco.com/compostersale

Canada Border Services says charges have been laid against two Americans after a firearms seizure last month at the Coutts border crossing in southern Alberta. The guns were discovered when the Alaska residents in a motorhome tried to cross into Canada. Authorities found two assault-style rifles, four 9-millimetre handguns and a restricted .45-calibre handgun, along with high-capacity magazines.

Sports

In New Jersey yesterday, game 2 of Vancouver’s 4 game road trip saw a different team from the one that beat the Rangers on Sunday as the Canucks lost 7-2. The Devils have 12 straight wins over the Canucks. Vancouver takes on the Islanders on Thursday

The World Curling Federation wants to remove Russia from any upcoming World Championships, including the World Women’s event set for Prince George this month. The WCF strongly condemns the military action by the Russian Government in their invasion of Ukraine.

The KIJHL season for the Kelowna Chiefs is over following a loss to Summerland last night. The Steam took the best of 7 playoff series 4 games to 1.

The International Olympic Committee, which isn’t known for acting fast on anything, urged sports bodies to ban Russia’s athletes and officials from international events. However, the ban doesn’t apply to the IOC itself, as it said athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete at the Paralympics in Beijing under a neutral flag.

After a big win on Sunday, the Kelowna Rockets play their second of two games in Seattle tonight. Kelowna is back home to face Victoria on Friday before home and away games with the Giants on Saturday and Sunday.

The IIHF is banning Russia and Belarus from international hockey until further notice amid the invasion of Ukraine. It will move the 2023 world juniors to a different location after two Russian cities were originally set to host the event.